Coming Into Focus
To live in a world of color is strangely radical. Race, ethnicity and culture challenge. Period. When seen through a lens focusing on race and color, the multifaceted spectrum of a Person of Color/POC/ or Black, Indigenous, Person of Color/BIPOC/, our identities get lost. The perspective is eschewed. It’s a false image.
As a POC/BIPOC* belonging to varied ethnic and cultural identities. My lived experience is outside the norm, and in-between cultural layers of race. I am considered an outlier. A specific, or singular racial identity has not existed within my family for generations. My ancestry is one of inclusion, retaining the global oceanic voyages of Diaspora, from Iberian, African, and Asian coastlines. This DNA is the integration of migratory patterns, held in culture, language and family. They continue to shape me. My participation in the struggle for change is deeply personal. My grief is bearing witness.
*A note on the descriptor, Person of Color/POC/ or Black, Indigenous, Person of Color/BIPOC/. This term identifies, yet separates people into what is considered ethnicity and race. The label is both inclusive, and divisive. I’m aware the label is one of convenience, and is clumsy, complicated and flawed. It is your right, our right to self identify.
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